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What’s New and Noteworthy across the Commonwealth in 2018

RICHMOND –Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) released the Commonwealth’s new and newsworthy curated guide for 2018.

The guide showcases the many new things travelers will enjoy in 2018, including the multitude of new craft beverage destinations, outdoor recreation and historic attractions, restaurants and lodging properties.

The travel and tourism industry in Virginia has continued to grow year after year. In 2016, tourism in Virginia generated $24 billion in revenue, which supported 230,000 jobs and provided $1.7 billion in state and local taxes for the Commonwealth. Dollars invested in tourism are proven to provide a 7:1 return in tax revenue for Virginia, and grant awards and matching funds provide a stimulus to localities seeking to increase tourism visitation and revenue.

During 2018, Virginia Tourism Corporation will launch its Project: Time Off “Crush Friday” campaign on National Plan for Vacation Day, Jan. 30. Project: Time Off is a niche campaign geared to remind “work martyrs” of the importance of taking a vacation.

Virginia will welcome its 100th Virginia is for Lovers’ iconic LOVE letters artwork in 2018. Also known as LOVEworks, these artworks are a great way to celebrate that “love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.” Visitors are encouraged to share their photos with the LOVEworks on social media, using the hashtag #LOVEVA.

This spring, the CEB Tower Observation Deck will be opened to the public. Situated in Arlington’s Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID), the 31-story building will offer an outdoor cantilevered terrace that will give visitors a truly spectacular view of the DC skyline. The 15,000-square-foot space will also be used as an exhibit space and feature a restaurant and bar.

Alexandria-basedPotomac Riverboat Company has launched a high-speed, low-wake water taxi service from Alexandria’s marina to The Wharf. In the fall of 2018, visitors can take in 180° panoramic views of the Potomac River with the opening of Interim Fitzgerald Square, a new public plaza connecting Alexandria’s historic retail district with the water.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon will reopen its Revolutionary War Theater in early 2018, marking the completion of a year-long $2.2 million renovation to the 4-D theater and an overhaul of the feature film.

TheInn at Little Washington will celebrate its 40th anniversary during 2018. The Inn will celebrate by rolling out a year-long series of events, both in the United States and in Europe.

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Institute for Contemporary Art will officially open to the public on April 21 in Richmond.

Hotel Weyanoke in Farmville is scheduled to open in spring 2018.

Governor Terry McAuliffe broke ground on Capitol Square for the Virginia Women’s Monument. Of the estimated 5,193 public statues in the United States, fewer than 400 are of women. In Richmond, of the 15 statues on Capitol Square, only one is a woman. The Virginia Women’s Monument, Voices from the Garden, is an attempt to make up for this omission and to finally give Virginia women the historic honor they deserve.

The long-awaited renovations ofThe Cavalier hotel are complete. The historic Virginia Beach hotel will reopen in February 2018 with an onsite bourbon distillery.

Ditchley Cidery, outside of Kilmarnock, will open in 2018. It will be the first cidery in the Northern Neck.

Cape Charles Brewing Company located in Cape Charles and Black Narrows Brewing Co. located in Chincoteague are both opening on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Historic Hilton Village, a neighborhood built to provide wartime housing for workers at Newport News Shipbuilding, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Commemorative events start in January 2018 and culminate in a Centennial Grand Celebration, July 4-7.

Shenandoah Valley

Shenandoah County’s first distillery,Filibuster Distillery, opened in late 2017. The distillery is committed to using 100% local corn in order to produce locally sourced whiskey.

Southwest Virginia will have two new hotels opening in 2018: The Bristol Hotel in Bristol and the Western Front Hotel in St. Paul.

The Historic Masonic Theatre completed its first full-year of programming in the newly restored theatre. A movie theatre and a performing arts venue, the four story building has a state of the art auditorium, an underground cafe and lounge area, a balcony with seating and conference room and an upper level ballroom suitable for wedding receptions and gatherings.

The Farm at Glen Haven, located in Clifton Forge, has completed renovations of the onsite barn and has become a premiere wedding and event venue.

The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is the state agency responsible for marketing Virginia as a premier travel destination and promoting the 49-year old “Virginia is for Lovers” brand, the longest-running state tourism slogan in the country. VTC operates as a fully-integrated marketing unit charged with increasing brand awareness through owned, earned and paid media opportunities, as well as social media strategies.

Plan your next vacation in Virginia. Visit virginia.org to discover why Virginia is for Lovers.